CN103698989B - Developer reservoir - Google Patents

Abstract

A developer container including: a casing having an inner surface defining a filling port for filling developer; a cap mounted to the casing for closing the filling port; and a stirring member, having a rotation shaft configured to rotate around the rotation shaft to thereby agitate the developer in the housing, the first end of the rotation shaft being attached to the inner surface of the housing and to the The cover support of the housing.

Description

developer container

technical field

The present invention relates to a developer container including a cap for sealing a filling port for filling a developer into a housing, and an agitating member for agitating the developer in the housing.

Background technique

Generally, in an electrophotographic type image forming apparatus, a stirring member is provided in a developer container containing a developer for forming an image. The latent image on the photosensitive member is developed by stirring the developer and supplying the developer to the photosensitive member (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-154744).

A developer container generally has a container body and a lid member that closes the container body. When assembling the developer container, before attaching the cover member, the shaft (rotation shaft) of the agitating member is bent and installed from the opening of the container body to the agitating member supporting portion provided on the unformed part of the side wall of the container body. The part that fills the mouth.

On the other hand, there is also known a structure provided with spoke-shaped ribs that divide the opening of the filling port for filling the developer into equal parts, and a support that is arranged on the connecting portion between the ribs. A bearing at one end of the stirring member. The bearing is arranged to coincide with the filling port when viewed from the lengthwise direction of the developer container (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open H10-339995).

When assembling the developer container, the process of installing the agitating member in a state where the shaft of the agitating member is bent is complicated and inefficient, thus hindering reduction in assembling time.

Furthermore, in a structure where the agitation member support portion coincides with the filling port when viewed from the lengthwise direction of the developer container, the bearing of the agitation member and the ribs straddling the filling port to support the bearing and the like will hinder the filling of the developer. Therefore, the time for filling the developer is unnecessarily prolonged.

Contents of the invention

Therefore, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a developer container which can easily install a stirring member and which does not lower the filling efficiency of the developer due to the narrowing of the area of the filling port.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a developer container comprising: a housing having an inner surface defining a filling port for filling developer; a cap mounted to the housing for closing the the filling port; and a stirring member having a rotating shaft configured to rotate around the rotating shaft so as to stir the developer in the housing, the first end of the rotating shaft being defined by the housing. The inner surface and the cover mounted to the housing are supported.

Therefore, it is possible to realize a structure in which the stirring member is easily attached without reducing the developer filling efficiency.

Description of drawings

1 is a sectional view showing the overall structure of a color printer to which a developing cartridge as an example of a developer container is mounted;

2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are diagrams showing an end portion on the toner filling port side of the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment, wherein FIG. 2A is a side view, and FIG. 2B is a view of the end portion viewed from the inside. 2C is a cross-sectional view of A-A of FIG. 2B, showing the part of the housing supporting the shaft (rotation shaft) of the agitator as an example of the agitating member, and FIG. Temporary fixation structure at the edge;

3A, 3B and 3C are longitudinal sectional views showing steps of mounting the agitator to the casing of the developing cartridge according to the first embodiment;

Figure 3D is a perspective view of the cover installed in the final step;

4A, 4B and 4C are diagrams showing a structure for positioning the agitator in the longitudinal direction, wherein FIG. 4A is an overall view of the agitator according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4B shows a structure for positioning the agitator. According to another example (modification) of the structure in which one end of the agitator of the first embodiment is positioned, FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the agitator of the modification is mounted to the housing;

5A, 5B, 5C and 5D are diagrams showing an end portion on the toner filling port side of a developing cartridge according to a second embodiment, wherein FIG. 5A is a sectional view of the end portion viewed from the inside, and FIG. 5B is a diagram 5A's B-B sectional view showing the part of the housing that supports the shaft of the agitator, Figure 5C shows the fitting structure for positioning when the cover is installed, Figure 5D is a sectional view showing the fitting structure for the agitator A modified example of the structure in which the end is positioned;

6A, 6B and 6C are diagrams showing an end portion on the toner filling port side of a developing cartridge according to a third embodiment, wherein FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the end portion viewed from the inside, and FIG. C-C cross-sectional view showing the part of the shaft supporting the stirrer of the housing, Figure 6C is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the structure for positioning the end of the stirrer; and

7A, 7B, 7C and 7D are diagrams showing an end portion on the toner filling port side of a developing cartridge according to a fourth embodiment, wherein FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the end portion viewed from the inside, and FIG. 7B is a diagram 7A, section D-D, shows the portion of the housing that supports the shaft of the stirrer, and Figures 7C and 7D show variations of the structure for positioning the end of the stirrer.

detailed description

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that, in the following description, the overall structure of the color printer 1 (image forming apparatus) to which the developing cartridge 100 according to the embodiment is mounted will first be briefly described, and then specific details around the toner filling port of the developing cartridge 100 will be described. structure.

It should be noted that, in the following description, directions will be described based on a user who uses the color printer 1 . That is, the right side of FIG. 1 is the "front" side, the left side is the "rear" side, the front side is the "left" side, and the back side is the "right" side. In addition, the upper and lower sides in FIG. 1 are "upper" and "lower" sides.

<Overall structure of a color printer>

As shown in FIG. 1 , a color printer 1 includes, in a body casing 10 as an example of an image forming apparatus body: a feeding unit 20 for feeding a sheet S (recording sheet); an image forming unit 30 for feeding an image is formed on the fed sheet S; and a sheet discharge unit 90 for discharging the image-formed sheet S.

The feeding unit 20 is provided at the lower part of the main body case 10 and mainly includes a sheet feeding tray 21 , a sheet pressing plate 22 and a sheet feeding mechanism 23 . The sheet S accommodated in the sheet feeding tray 21 is inclined upward by the sheet pressing plate 22 , and is fed toward the image forming unit 30 by the sheet feeding mechanism 23 .

The image forming unit 30 mainly includes an exposure device 40 , a photosensitive unit 50 , four developing cartridges 100 , a transfer unit 70 and a fixing unit 80 .

The exposure device 40 is provided on the upper part of the main body case 10, and has a laser light source, a polygon mirror, a plurality of lenses, a plurality of reflection mirrors, etc. which are not shown in the figure. Laser light emitted from a laser light source based on image data is reflected on polygon mirrors and reflection mirrors, passes through lenses, and then scans the surface of each photosensitive drum 52 at high speed (see dotted lines).

The photosensitive unit 50 is arranged between the supply tray 21 and the exposure device 40, and mainly includes a substantially box-shaped drawer 51 with an open upper part, four photosensitive drums 52 arranged in parallel in the front-rear direction, and a set corresponding to each photosensitive drum 52. The four chargers 53. The drawer 51 is configured to be attachable to the body case 10 in the front-rear direction or to be detached (ejected) from the body case 10 by opening the cover 11 provided on the front side of the body case 10 .

The developing cartridges 100 are arranged in a row in the drawer 51 in the front-rear direction. The developing cartridge 100 is detachably attachable to the drawer 51 , and detachably attachable to the main body case 10 in a state attached to the drawer 51 . The developing cartridge 100 mainly includes a developing roller 110, a supply roller 120, a layer thickness regulating sheet 130, a toner containing unit 140 containing toner as an example of a developer, and a toner in the toner containing unit 140 as an agitation. The agitator 150 is a stirring member of the agent. The specific structure of the developing cartridge 100 will be described later.

The transfer unit 70 is arranged between the sheet feeding tray 21 and the photosensitive unit 50, and mainly includes a driving roller 71, a driven roller 72, and an endless conveying roller arranged between the driving roller 71 and the driven roller 72 in a tensioned state. belt 73 , and four transfer rollers 74 . The conveyor belt 73 has an outer surface arranged to abut each photosensitive drum 52 , and the transfer roller 74 is arranged inside the conveyor belt 73 to sandwich the conveyor belt 73 together with each photosensitive drum 52 .

The fixing unit 80 is provided at the rear of the photosensitive drum 50 and mainly includes a heat roller 81 and a pressure roller 82 arranged to face the heat roller 81 and press the heat roller 81 .

In the image forming unit 30 , the surface of the photosensitive drum 52 is uniformly charged by the charger 53 and then exposed to laser light emitted from the exposure device 40 , thereby forming an electrostatic latent image based on image data on the photosensitive drum 52 . Further, the toner in the toner accommodating unit 140 is supplied to the developing roller 110 by the supply roller 120, enters between the developing roller 110 and the layer thickness regulating sheet 130, and is carried on the developing roller as a thin layer having a predetermined thickness. Roll 110 on.

Then, the toner carried on the developing roller 110 is supplied to the photosensitive drum 52 to make the electrostatic latent image visible, forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum 52 . Then, the sheet S fed from the feeding unit 20 is conveyed through between the photosensitive drums 52 and the conveyance belt 73 (transfer roller 74 ), so that the toner images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 52 are sequentially superimposedly transferred. to Sheet S. The sheet S to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed through between the heat roller 81 and the pressure roller 82 , whereby the toner image is thermally fixed.

The sheet discharge unit 90 mainly includes: a sheet discharge path 91 for guiding the sheet S conveyed from the fixing unit 80 ; and a plurality of conveyance rollers 92 for conveying the sheet S. The sheet S to which the toner image is thermally fixed is conveyed by the conveyance roller 92 through the sheet discharge path 91 , discharged to the outside of the body casing 10 , and placed on the sheet discharge tray 12 .

<Specific structure of developing cartridge>

1. The first embodiment

The developing cartridge 100 according to the first embodiment, particularly the structure around a filling port for filling toner will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 .

In addition, in FIG. 2 and subsequent drawings, the developing roller 110 of the developing cartridge 100, the supply roller 120, the layer thickness regulating sheet 130, etc. are not shown in figure.

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C , the right end portion of the developing cartridge 100 is formed with a cylindrical opening (toner filling port 105 ) for filling toner. The toner filling 105 is formed on a wall of a cartridge frame 101 , which is an example of a housing, defining the toner containing unit 140 . A part of the inner peripheral surface (pipe portion) 106 defining the toner filling port 105 is recessed outward in the radial direction of the inner peripheral surface, thereby forming a concave portion 107 . The inner peripheral surface is substantially a cylindrical surface.

Recess 107 extends outward from the inner (toner accommodating portion side) edge of inner peripheral surface 106 to near the center of inner peripheral surface 106 at a position below toner filling 105 . The outer end portion of the concave portion 107 defines a plane (a concave portion termination surface 107E) extending in the up-down direction in FIG. 2 .

The toner filling port 105 is fitted with a cap 160 for closing the toner filling port 105 so that the toner filled into the toner containing unit 140 does not leak. The cap 160 is a closing member having a cap bottom 165 having a substantially disc shape matching the opening shape of the toner filling port 105 and a cap pipe portion 166 closely fitted to the opening of the toner filling port 105. Tube 106 . At an outer edge portion of the cover pipe portion 166, a flange portion 162 protruding radially outward is provided.

One end portion 155R of the shaft (rotation shaft) 155 of the agitator 150 is inserted into the recess 107, and the cap pipe portion 166 is fitted to the tubular inner peripheral surface (pipe portion 106) of the recess 107 to close the toner filling port 105, whereby the agitator 150 One end portion 155R of the shaft 155 is supported by the concave portion 107 and the outer peripheral surface of the cover pipe portion 166 of the cover 160 .

A round end portion (protruding substantially spherically) of one end portion 155R of the shaft 155 abuts on the recess end surface 107E, thereby positioning the agitator 150 in the direction of the rotation axis. The concave portion termination surface 107E is an abutment surface facing inward in the direction of the rotation axis of the concave portion 107 .

As shown in FIG. 2B , one of the edge portions defining the boundary between the tube portion 106 of the toner filling port 105 and the recessed portion 107 is provided with a protrusion 107S protruding toward the other edge portion. Therefore, the distance D1 between both edge portions of the concave portion 107 is narrower than the width inside the concave portion 107 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2D , distance D1 is slightly smaller than outer diameter D2 of one end portion 155R of shaft 155 of agitator 150 inserted into recess 107 ( D1 < D2 ).

A method of installing the agitator 150 (installation steps) will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 . As shown in FIG. 4A , the agitator 150 includes: a support portion 152 protruding outward from the shaft 155 in a radial direction of the shaft 155 ; and a film 158 supported on the support portion 152 . The film 158 of the agitator 150 slides on the inner wall of the toner accommodating unit 140 in pressure contact with the inner wall of the toner accommodating unit 140 . Further, as shown in FIG. 3A , the agitator 150 is configured such that the maximum dimension (radial dimension) of the support portion 152 of the support film 158 in the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation is smaller than that of the opening of the toner filling port 105 in the radial direction. size of. Therefore, the agitator 150 can be inserted and installed through the toner filling 1105 .

First, as shown in FIG. 3A , the agitator 150 is inserted into the toner filling port 105 provided on the right side wall of the developing cartridge 100 from the left end portion 155L of the shaft 155 . Then, as shown in FIG. 3B , the left end portion 155L is inserted into the bearing portion 109 provided on the left side wall of the developing cartridge 100 . Also, as shown in FIG. 3C , the right end portion (one end portion) 155R of the shaft 155 of the agitator 150 is fitted into the recessed portion 107 from the side.

Here, since the distance D1 between the edge portions of the recess 107 is smaller than the outer diameter D2 of the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155, the right end portion 155R is lightly pushed in and clamped, thereby achieving holding (temporary fixation). After that, toner is filled through the toner filling port 105 . Finally, as shown in FIG. 3C , the cap 160 is assembled so that the right end portion 155R is positioned and the toner filling port 1105 is sealed. Further, a seal member (the reference number thereof is omitted) and a gear 170 are installed between the left end portion 155L and the bearing portion 109 from the outside. Thus, the left end portion 155L is pivotally supported by the bearing portion 109 via the gear 170 , and the space between the left end portion 155L and the bearing portion 109 is sealed by the sealing member.

As shown in FIG. 3D , the outer peripheral surface 166 of the cover 160 is formed with a seal portion 160S that is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the toner filling port 105 ( The tube portion 106) is in close contact, thereby preventing the toner from leaking. In the present embodiment, the sealing portion 160S has two rows of ridge-like protrusions along the outer peripheral surface 166 to form a closed ring shape. When the cap 160 is fitted to the toner filling port 105 , the sealing portion 160S is pressure-contacted to properly seal the toner filling port 105 .

When the cap 160 is mounted, the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 is positioned inside the sealing portion 160S (downstream side in the mounting direction of the cap 160 ). Therefore, the entire structure supporting the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 of the agitator 150 is arranged inside, so that toner leakage can be effectively suppressed.

In the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

A right end portion 155R of a shaft 155 (rotation shaft) of the stirrer 150 is supported by the recessed portion 107 and the cover 160 which are part of the inner peripheral surface of the cartridge frame 101 . Therefore, since the right end portion 155R can be pushed into the recessed portion 107 from the right end portion side in a state where the cover 160 is detached, the agitator 150 can be easily attached without bending the shaft 155 .

Furthermore, the cap tube portion 166 on the outer peripheral surface of the cap 160 is fitted to the tube portion 106 on the inner peripheral surface of the cartridge frame 101 , so that the toner filling 105 can be reliably sealed. In addition, in the present embodiment, the sealing portion 160S is provided on the upstream side in the mounting direction of the cap 160 , and therefore, toner leakage can be more effectively suppressed.

The cover 160 contacts the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 of the agitator 150 with a cover pipe portion 166 having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface. Therefore, since the axial center position of the stirrer 155 does not change depending on the mounting phase (posture in the rotational direction) of the cover 160 , no adjustment is required when the cover 160 is mounted, and easy mounting is possible.

In addition, the rotation shaft of the agitator 150 is arranged in the recessed portion 107 which is radially outwardly recessed more than the inner peripheral surface (tube portion 106 ) of the toner filling 104 . Therefore, since there are no ribs or bearings across the opening of the filling port, a more efficient filling port can be ensured compared with the prior art structure in which the spoke-shaped ribs dividing the filling port and the swivel bearing are arranged at the substantially central position of the opening. Wide opening. Therefore, it is possible to realize a structure that does not lower the filling efficiency of the toner.

One of the edge portions of the recess 107 formed on the inner peripheral surface defining the toner filling port 105 is provided with a protrusion 107S protruding toward the other edge portion, and the distance D1 between the edge portions of the recess 107 is slightly smaller than The outer diameter D2 of the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 of the agitator 150 ( D1 < D2 ). That is, when inserting the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 into the recess 107, only by slightly pushing the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 between the edge portions of the recess 107 narrower than the outer diameter D2 of the shaft 155 (distance: D1), That is, the right end portion 155R is temporarily fixed. Therefore, a series of operations of pushing the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 into the recess 107 on the inner peripheral surface of the cartridge frame 101 without bending the agitator 150 and then attaching the cover 160 to the cartridge frame 101 can be easily performed.

However, in this embodiment, the protrusion 107S is not necessarily provided. That is, the protrusion 107S may be omitted. Since the film 158 of the agitator 150 is configured to slide on the inner wall of the toner accommodating unit 140 in such a manner as to contact the inner wall of the toner accommodating unit 140 with pressure, the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 inserted into the concave portion 107 is due to the toner accommodating The reaction force exerted by the inner wall of the cell 140 on the membrane 158 is pressed against the bottom of the recess 107 . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 from being separated from the concave portion 107 before the cover 160 is attached or after the cover 160 is detached.

In addition, instead of providing the protrusion 107S on only one edge of the recess 107 , a protrusion protruding toward the opposite edge may also be provided on the other edge. The number, shape and arrangement of the protrusions may be optimized so that the distance D1 between the two edge portions of the recess 107 defining the boundary between the tube portion 106 and the recess 107 becomes a right end portion 155R that allows the shaft 155 of the agitator 150 to (Outer diameter: D2) Dimensions for insertion and temporary fixation.

Since the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 is configured to abut against the recess terminating surface 107E (an abutment face facing inward in the rotation axis direction) formed on the recess 107 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the toner filling port 105 of the cartridge frame 101, Therefore, when the agitator 150 is installed, positioning can be reliably and easily performed.

Since the agitator 150 and the toner filling port 105 have a shape and size such that the agitator 150 can be inserted and mounted to the cartridge frame 101 through the toner filling port 105, the agitator 150 can be easily installed. In addition, there is no need to separately provide a sealable opening (or a separable, mounted housing structure, etc.) for mounting the agitator 150 to the cartridge frame 101, which contributes to the rigidity and airtightness of the cartridge frame 101 of the developing cartridge 100. , which is beneficial for design freedom and manufacturing cost.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 is configured such that the center (shaft center position) of the circular end thereof abuts against the recess end surface 107E of the recess 107 . However, the abutment surface that maintains the rightward position of the right end portion 155R of the agitator 150 may not be the recess termination surface 107E.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, on the right end surface of the support portion 152 of the agitator 150, at a position radially outward from one end (right end) 155R′ of the shaft 155 at a predetermined interval, A protrusion 159 is provided, and the end surface of the protrusion 159 abuts against the inner surface (the contact surface 101S) of the cartridge frame 101 so as to position the agitator 150 rightward. The tip end of the right end portion 155R' of the shaft 155 is substantially flat, and does not abut against the recess end surface 107E.

In FIG. 4C , since the agitator 150 is arranged in a direction in which the protrusion 159 is located below the right end portion 155R' of the shaft 155, the protrusion 159 abuts against the contact surface 101S of the cartridge frame 101 and thus is positioned. However, when the agitator 150 is rotated and thus disposed in a direction in which the protrusion 159 is located above the right end portion 155R′ of the shaft 155, the protrusion 159 abuts against the inner surface (the contact surface 165S) of the cover bottom 165 of the cover 160, and thus is position.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4B , the protrusion 159 is provided with an inclined surface 159S located at the front end of the agitator 150 in the rotation direction. Since the protrusion 159 is located at a position deviated radially outward from the rotation axis of the agitator 150 , the contact between the contact surface 101S of the cartridge frame 101 and the contact surface 165S of the cover 160 is switched according to the rotation of the agitator 150 . Since the inclined surface 159S is provided, even when there is a step between the contact surfaces 101S and 165S, the agitator 150 can rotate smoothly without any hindrance.

2. The second embodiment

Next, a second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 . In the present embodiment, the structure of the right end portions 155R, 155R' supporting the agitator 150 in the first embodiment is partially changed. Therefore, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B , in the second embodiment, a concave portion 107 shallower than that of the first embodiment is formed on a portion of the tubular inner peripheral surface (tube portion) 106 that defines the toner filling 105 . '. In addition, on a part of the outer peripheral surface (cover pipe portion 166 ) of the cover 160 ′, a cover concave portion 167 concaved inward in the radial direction of the cover is formed.

As shown in FIG. 5C , when the cover 160 ′ is viewed from the outside, a lower portion (position corresponding to the cover recess 167 ) of the flange portion 162 is formed with a recess 160R. The recess 160R is configured to cooperate with the protrusion 163, which is provided on the outer side of the inner peripheral surface of the cartridge frame 101 to correspond to the recess 107', as a reference for positioning in the rotation direction when the cover 160' is mounted. s position.

Furthermore, the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 of the agitator 150 is disposed and supported between the recess 107 ′ and the cover recess 167 . The bottom 167S of the cover concave portion 167 in contact with the side surface of the right end portion 155R of the agitator 150 is a cylindrical surface coaxial with the outer peripheral surface of the cover pipe portion 166, even if the mounting phase of the cover 160' (in the rotation direction Posture) is slightly deviated, and the axial center position of the agitator 150 does not change in the vertical direction.

In the second embodiment, the right end 155R (right end) of the shaft 155 of the stirrer 150 is supported by the recess 107 ′, which is a part of the inner peripheral surface of the cartridge frame 101 , and the cover recess 167 . is a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cover 160'. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the agitator 150 can be easily installed without bending the shaft 155 .

Further, the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 partially inserted into the recess 107' is pressed against the bottom of the recess 107' by the reaction force applied from the inner wall of the toner containing unit 140 to the film 158 of the agitator 150. Therefore, when the cover 160 ′ is detached, the right end portion 155R can be inserted and held in the recessed portion 107 ′ through the side surface of the right end portion 155R, so that the mounting operation can be easily performed.

Further, the rotation shaft of the agitator 150 is arranged between the concave portion 107 ′, which is radially radially outwardly concave, and the cover concave portion 167 . formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cover 160'. Therefore, since there are no ribs or bearings across the opening of the filling port, a more efficient filling port can be ensured compared with the prior art structure in which the spoke-shaped ribs dividing the filling port and the swivel bearing are arranged at the substantially central position of the opening. Wide opening. Therefore, it is possible to realize a structure that does not lower the filling efficiency of the toner.

Similar to the structure of FIG. 2C of the first embodiment, the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 in FIG. 5B is configured such that the center (shaft center position) of the circular end abuts on the recess end surface 107E' of the recess 107'. That is, the recess end surface 107E′ constitutes an abutment surface that regulates the rightward position of the right end portion 155R of the agitator 150 .

FIG. 5D shows a modified example of the second embodiment. In the modified example of FIG. 5D , the agitator 150 having the same end shape as the right end portion 155R' of the shaft 155 shown in FIG. 4C is used. The end surface of the protrusion 159 abuts the contact surface 101S or the contact surface 165S, so that the agitator 150 is positioned rightward, which is the same as the modification of the first embodiment (see FIGS. The right end portion 155R' of the shaft 155 is positioned a certain distance outward at a predetermined interval.

3. The third embodiment

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, the structure of the right end part 155R, 155R' which supports the agitator 150 in 1st, 2nd embodiment is only partially changed. Therefore, the same components as those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first and second embodiments, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B , in the third embodiment, the tubular inner peripheral surface 106 defining the toner filling port 105 is not provided with a concave portion. In addition, a cover concave portion 167 ′ is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface (cover pipe portion 166 ) of the cover 160 ″, and the cover concave portion 167 ′ is recessed inward along the radial direction of the cover. The cover concave portion 167 ′ is larger than the cover concave portion of the second embodiment. 167 is deeper and has a shape that completely accommodates the right end 155R of the agitator 150 .

In the third embodiment, when the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 of the agitator 150 is disposed on the inner periphery 106 of the toner filling 105, and the cover 160″ is in such a manner that the cover recess 167′ is phase-matched with the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 When mounted, the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 is supported between the inner circumference 106 of the toner filling port 105 (cartridge frame 101) and the cover recess 167' of the cover 160", wherein the cover recess 167' is the outer circumference of the cover. part of the face.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the lower portion of the flange portion 162 of the cover 160″ (the position corresponding to the cover recess 167′) is formed with the same recess as that of the second embodiment for cooperating with the protrusion 163, and the protrusion 163 is provided on the The outer side of the inner peripheral surface of the cartridge frame 101. Therefore, when the cover 160" is attached, accurate positioning in the rotation direction is possible. Therefore, when the cover 160'' is installed, the axis center of the agitator 150 can be accurately positioned.

Furthermore, in the third embodiment, there is no need to bend the shaft 155 when installing the agitator 150 . The right end portion 155R is supported and operated simultaneously with the attachment of the cover 160 ″. Further, the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 is configured to be pressed by the reaction force applied from the inner wall of the toner containing unit 140 to the film 158 of the agitator 150 . In the lower part of the inner peripheral surface of the toner filling port 105. Therefore, when the cap 160″ is detached, the right end portion 155R can be held at the lower part of the inner peripheral surface of the toner filling port 105, thereby enabling easy installation. operate.

In addition, the rotation shaft of the agitator 150 is arranged between the inner peripheral surface 106 of the toner filling port 105 and the cover recess 167' formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cover 160". Compared with the structure in which the spoke-shaped ribs of the revolving bearing are arranged at the approximate center of the opening, since there are no ribs or bearings straddling the opening of the filling port, a wider opening of the filling port can be ensured. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a The structure of the filling efficiency of the agent.

The right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 shown in FIG. 6B has the same shape as the shape shown in FIG. 2C of the first embodiment and the shape shown in FIG. 5B of the second embodiment. However, the center (axis center position) of the circular end portion is configured to abut against the recess end surface 167E of the cover recess 167'. That is, the recess end surface 167E constitutes an abutment surface that regulates the rightward position of the right end portion 155R of the agitator 150 .

FIG. 6C shows a modified example of the third embodiment. In the modified example of FIG. 6C , the agitator 150 having the same end shape as the right end portion 155R′ of the shaft 155 shown in FIG. 4C is used. The end surface of the protrusion 159 abuts against the contact 101S or the contact surface 165S, so that the stirrer 150 is positioned rightward, which is the same as the modification of the first embodiment (see FIGS. The right end portion 155R' of 155 is positioned outward by a certain distance at a predetermined interval.

4. Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, the structure of the right end part 155R, 155R' which supports the agitator 150 in 1st - 3rd embodiment is only partially changed. Therefore, the same components as those of the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first to third embodiments, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B , in the fourth embodiment, at the lower portion of the tubular inner peripheral surface 106 defining the toner filling port 105 , from the inner edge portion (the edge portion on the side of the toner filling 105 ) to the At substantially the center in the outward direction, a protrusion 108 is formed that protrudes radially inward. In addition, the cover 160 ″ is formed with a cover concave portion 167 ″ radially inwardly recessed at a part of the cover tube portion 166 . The cover recess 167 ″ is deeper than the cover recess 167 ′ of the third embodiment, and is designed such that the right end 155R of the stirrer 150 is inserted between the cover recess 167 ″ and the end of the protrusion 108 .

In the fourth embodiment, when the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 of the agitator 150 is disposed at the end portion of the protruding portion 108 of the toner filling port 105, and the cover 160 ″ is connected with the right end portion where the shaft 155 is disposed with the cover recess 167 ″ When the projections 108 of the portion 155R are mounted with matching phases, the right end portion 155R of the shaft 55 is supported between the projections 108 and the cover recess 167″, which is a part of the outer peripheral surface of the cover.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the lower portion of the flange portion 162 of the cover 160″ (the position corresponding to the cover concave portion 167″) is formed with the same concave portion as in the second embodiment for cooperating with the protrusion 163, which is provided on the The outer side of the inner peripheral surface of the cartridge frame 101 (the position corresponding to the protrusion 108 ). Therefore, when the cover 160'' is installed, it can be accurately positioned in the rotation direction. Therefore, when the cover 160'' is installed, the axis center of the agitator 150 can be accurately positioned.

In addition, in the present embodiment, when the agitator 150 is installed, the shaft 155 need not be bent, and the right end portion 155R is supported and operated simultaneously with the installation of the cover 160″. In addition, the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 is configured to be adjusted from the The reaction force applied by the inner wall of the toner containing unit 140 to the film 158 of the agitator 150 is pressed against the end of the protrusion 108. Therefore, when the cap 160″ is detached, the right end 155R can be held in the toner filling port 105 The end of the protruding part 108, so that the installation operation can be easily performed.

In addition, the rotation shaft of the agitator 150 is arranged between the protrusion 108 of the toner filling port 105 and the cover recess 167' formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cover 160". Compared with the structure in which the spoke-shaped rib is arranged at the approximate center of the opening, since there are no ribs or bearings straddling the opening of the filling port, a wider opening of the filling port can be ensured. Therefore, it is possible to realize The filling efficiency of the structure.

The right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 shown in FIG. 7B is configured as a recess termination surface 167E′ in which the center of its circular end abuts the lid recess portion 167″. That is, the recess termination surface 167E′ constitutes a right end portion 155R that limits the direction of the stirrer 150. The abutment surface for the right position.

7C and 7D show modified examples of the fourth embodiment. In the modified example of FIG. 7C , the outer end portion of the protruding portion 108 has a plate-shaped portion 108P that protrudes further inward in the radial direction, covering the recessed portion termination surface 167E′. The inner surface of the plate portion 108P provides the contact surface 108S that limits the rightward position of the shaft 155 . Therefore, the center of the circular end portion of the right end portion 155R of the shaft 155 abuts against the contact surface 108S.

In the modified example of FIG. 7D , the stirrer 150 having the same end shape as the right end portion 155R' of the shaft 155 shown in FIG. 4C is used. The end surface of the protrusion 159 abuts the contact surface 101S or the contact surface 165S, so that the agitator 150 is positioned rightward, which is the same as the modification of the first embodiment (see FIGS. The right end portion 155R' of the shaft 155 is positioned a certain distance outward at a predetermined interval.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Appropriate changes may be made in the specific structure without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiments, the inner surface defining the filling port for filling the developer is constituted as a substantially cylindrical surface. However, the shape of the inner surface is not limited thereto, and may be a tubular shape with an oval or polygonal opening, as long as the shape is suitable for filling the developer and being sealed by a cap.

In the above-described embodiments, the present invention is applied to the developing cartridge 100 mounted to the color printer 1 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can be applied to a developer container mounted to a monochrome laser printer or other image forming equipment such as a copier or a multifunction machine.

The present invention may have the following forms, which are examples only, and the present invention is not limited to these forms.

(1) In a first aspect, there is provided a developer container comprising: a casing having an inner surface defining a filling port for filling developer; a cap mounted to the casing for closing the filling port; and an agitating member having a rotating shaft configured to rotate around the rotating shaft so as to agitate the developer in the casing, the first end of the rotating shaft being formed by a first end of the casing The inner surface and the cover mounted to the housing are supported.

According to the first aspect, the first end portion of the rotating shaft is supported by the inner surface of the case and the cover attached to the case. Therefore, the stirring member can be easily installed without bending the rotation shaft of the stirring member. Furthermore, since the agitation member and the structure supporting the agitation member can be arranged at a position where the filling port is only slightly blocked, a decrease in the filling efficiency of the toner can be prevented.

(2) In a second aspect, there is provided the developer container according to the first aspect, the inner surface of the casing includes: a tube portion; and a concave portion concave outward with respect to the tube portion, the rotating The first end of the shaft is inserted into the recess.

According to the second aspect, the first end portion of the rotating shaft is inserted into the recess, the recess is recessed outward with respect to the pipe portion, and the cover is mounted on the housing. Therefore, the stirring member can be easily installed without bending the rotation shaft of the stirring member.

(3) In a third aspect, there is provided the developer container according to the second aspect, the cap includes a cap tube portion having an outer surface fitted to the tube portion, the rotation shaft The first end portion is supported by the recess of the inner surface of the housing and the outer surface of the cover tube portion.

According to the third aspect, the first end portion of the rotating shaft is inserted into the recess, the recess is recessed outward relative to the pipe portion, and the cover is mounted on the housing. Therefore, the stirring member can be easily installed without bending the rotation shaft of the stirring member. Furthermore, since the cap tube portion of the outer surface of the cap is fitted to the tube portion of the inner surface of the case, sealing of the filling port can be ensured.

(4) In a fourth aspect, there is provided the developer container according to the second aspect, the cap includes: a cap tube portion having an outer surface fitted to the tube portion; and a cap concave portion opposite to the cap tube The first end portion of the rotating shaft is supported by the concave portion of the inner surface of the housing and the cover concave portion of the cover.

According to the fourth aspect, the first end portion of the rotating shaft is inserted into the recess, the recess is recessed outward with respect to the pipe portion, and the cover is attached to the case. Therefore, the stirring member can be easily installed without bending the rotation shaft of the stirring member. Furthermore, since the cap tube portion of the outer surface of the cap is fitted to the tube portion of the inner surface of the case, sealing of the filling port can be ensured.

(5) In a fifth aspect, there is provided the developer container according to the third aspect, wherein the distance between the edge portions defining the boundary between the tube portion and the concave portion among the edge portions of the concave portion is smaller than the The outer diameter of the axis of rotation.

According to the fifth aspect, when the first end portion of the rotating shaft of the stirring member is inserted into the concave portion of the inner surface of the case, the first end portion of the rotating shaft is pushed into the hole narrower than the outer diameter of the rotating shaft by lightly pushing the first end portion. Temporary fixation is provided between the edges of the recess. Therefore, when the first end portion of the rotating shaft is inserted into the concave portion of the inner surface of the casing without bending the stirring member, and then the cover is attached to the casing, the operation is very simple.

The inner surface of the housing does not necessarily have a recess.

(6) For example, in a sixth aspect, there is provided the developer container according to the first aspect, the inner surface includes: a tube portion; and a protrusion protrudes inward with respect to the tube portion, the cover includes: a cover tube portion having an outer surface fitted to the tube portion; and a cover recess portion recessed inwardly with respect to the cover tube portion for receiving the protrusion, the first end of the rotation shaft being formed by The protrusion of the inner surface of the case is supported by the cover recess of the cover.

According to the sixth aspect, the cap is mounted in such a manner that the cap recess is positioned by the first end portion of the rotation shaft of the stirring member arranged at the end of the filling port protrusion. Therefore, the stirring member can be easily installed without bending the rotation shaft of the stirring member. Furthermore, since the cap tube portion of the outer surface of the cap is fitted to the tube portion of the inner surface of the case, sealing of the filling port can be ensured.

(7) In a seventh aspect, there is provided the developer container according to the first to sixth aspects, the lid includes a sealing portion abutting against the inner surface of the housing for suppressing development agent leakage, the first end portion of the rotation shaft is located on the downstream side of the sealing portion in the mounting direction of the cap.

According to the seventh aspect, the sealing of the filling port can be ensured outside the first end portion of the stirring member rotation shaft supported by the inner surface of the housing and the cover.

(8) In an eighth aspect, there is provided the developer container according to the first to seventh aspects, the casing further includes an abutment surface facing inward in the direction of the rotation shaft, the The first end portion of the rotating shaft is positioned along the direction of the rotating shaft by the abutment surface of the housing.

(9) In a ninth aspect, there is provided the developer container according to the first to eighth aspects, wherein the cover further includes an abutment surface that faces inward in the direction of the rotation axis, the rotation The first end portion of the shaft is positioned in the direction of the rotation shaft by the abutment surface of the cover.

According to the eighth and ninth aspects, when installing the stirring member, positioning can be easily and reliably performed.

(10) In a tenth aspect, there is provided the developer container according to the first to ninth aspects, the stirring member includes: a support portion protruding outward from the rotation shaft in a radial direction of the rotation shaft; and The membrane is supported by the support portion, and the dimension of the support portion in the radial direction is smaller than the dimension of the filling port in the radial direction.

According to the tenth aspect, the stirring member can be inserted and installed in the housing through the filling port. Therefore, the stirring member can be easily installed.

(11) According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided the developer container according to the first aspect, the cover includes: a cover tube portion having an outer surface fitted to the inner surface of the housing; and a cover concave portion, The first end portion of the rotation shaft is supported inwardly with respect to the cover tube portion by the inner surface of the housing and the cover recess of the cover.

According to the eleventh aspect, the first end portion of the rotating shaft is inserted into the recessed portion of the cover, the recessed portion of the cover is recessed inwardly relative to the pipe portion of the cover, and the cover is mounted on the housing. Therefore, the stirring member can be easily installed without bending the rotation shaft of the stirring member. In addition, since the cap tube portion of the outer surface of the cap is fitted to the inner surface of the case, it is possible to securely seal the filling port.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-214473 filed on September 27, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (11)

1. a developer reservoir, including:

Housing, has the inner surface limiting charging port, and described charging port is used for filling developing agent；

Lid, is installed to described housing, is used for closing described charging port；And

Agitating member, has rotary shaft, is configured to rotate around described rotary shaft, thus stirs Mix the developing agent in described housing,

The first end of described rotary shaft is by the described inner surface of described housing and is installed to described shell The outer peripheral face of the described lid of body supports.

Developer reservoir the most according to claim 1, it is characterised in that

The described inner surface of described housing includes:

Pipe portion；And

Recess, the most recessed relative to described pipe portion,

The described first end of described rotary shaft inserts described recess.

Developer reservoir the most according to claim 2, it is characterised in that

Described lid includes that lid pipe portion, described lid pipe portion have the outer surface being coupled to described pipe portion,

The described first end of described rotary shaft is by the described recess of the described inner surface of described housing Support with the described outer surface in described lid pipe portion.

Developer reservoir the most according to claim 2, it is characterised in that

Described lid includes:

Lid pipe portion, has the outer surface being coupled to described pipe portion；And

Lid recess, concaves relative to described lid pipe portion,

The described first end of described rotary shaft is by the described recess of the described inner surface of described housing Described lid recess supports with described lid.

Developer reservoir the most according to claim 3, it is characterised in that

The edge part of described recess limits the edge on border between described pipe portion and described recess Distance between portion is less than the external diameter of described rotary shaft.

Developer reservoir the most according to claim 1, it is characterised in that

Described inner surface includes:

Pipe portion；And

Protuberance, protrudes inwardly from relative to described pipe portion,

Described lid includes:

Lid pipe portion, has the outer surface being coupled to described pipe portion；And

Lid recess, concaves relative to described lid pipe portion, is used for receiving described protuberance,

The described first end of described rotary shaft is highlighted by the described of the described inner surface of described housing Portion and the described lid recess supports of described lid.

7. according to the developer reservoir according to any one of claim 1～6, it is characterised in that

Described lid includes sealing, and described sealing abuts the described inner surface of described housing, uses In suppression developing agent leakage,

The described first end of described rotary shaft is positioned at the described sealing installation direction along described lid Downstream.

8. according to the developer reservoir according to any one of claim 1～6, it is characterised in that

Described housing also includes bearing surface, described bearing surface along the direction of described rotary shaft towards interior,

The described first end of described rotary shaft by the described bearing surface of described housing along described rotation The location, described direction of axle.

9. according to the developer reservoir according to any one of claim 1～6, it is characterised in that

Described lid also includes bearing surface, described bearing surface along the direction of described rotary shaft towards interior,

The described first end of described rotary shaft by the described bearing surface of described lid along described rotary shaft Described direction location.

10., according to the developer reservoir according to any one of claim 1～6, its feature exists In,

Described agitating member includes:

Supporting part, from described rotary shaft along described the most outwardly；And

Film, is supported by described supporting part,

Described supporting part described radially be smaller in size than described charging port described radially Size.

11. developer reservoirs according to claim 1, it is characterised in that

Described lid includes:

Lid pipe portion, has the outer surface of the described inner surface being coupled to described housing；And

Lid recess, concaves relative to described lid pipe portion,

The described first end of described rotary shaft is by the described inner surface of described housing and described lid Described lid recess supports.